There are many wonderful places on this planet to cure wanderlust, but no place beckons more enticingly than Italy. With so many choices of where to go, here’s a pick of Italian destinations both famous and a bit less obvious, that are pulsating right now. There is a place for every taste, every craving in the bountiful cornucopia that is Italy…

Naples: The thing about the charm of Naples is that it embodies every beloved image of Italy. From famous songs to pizza it is the city of iconic Italy. And it is about to have its travel moment. A stunning crescent shaped bay, monumental architecture, and dusty narrow streets, this is real Italy at its most vociferous.

Camogli: Everyone is hitting the Cinque Terre and Portofino but what’s next? The laid back fishing town of Camogli at the top end of the Ligurian Coast. Half an hour drive from Portofino, this is where real Italians go for a bit of lazy time by the sea. Off the beaten path it is very much like the Cinque Terre with its warm toned shuttered houses, but with less crowds. That is for now.

Venice: Yes I know, way too many tourists but Venice is still… Venice! La Serenissima. It still sparkles, it still is captivating and holds a mysterious edge but you must be willing to get lost in the labyrinth streets, secret passageways and canals and let Venice show you the way. Leave St. Mark’s square for the early morning and spend your days in Dorsoduro or Canareggio -where the Venetians actually live. Try Venice in the winter when it is a writer’s Venice, one filled with mood and mystery.

Turin: Italy’s North is making a comeback so what could be better then the paired back refinement of Turin’s elegant living room. Grand architecture and piazzas combined with first class caffe culture and an original aperitivo.

Pantelleria: The Sicilian islands are becoming quite fashionable again, but the almost ignored gem of Pantelleria, a speck between Sicily and Tunisia, is looking to be the stylish escape for summer. The movie A Bigger Splash was filmed here so it won’t be a secret for long. Eco friendly accommodation, blue on blue sky and sea with wide open spaces, it floats alone on the Med in splendor.